Very disappointing but not especially surprising. The judge had made it clear that he would take Trump’s public statements labeling Bergdahl a traitor and calling for execution etc. into account. The President really needs to grasp that as CnC his words matter. Command influence is the mortal enemy of the military justice system. If the judge had thrown the book at Bergdahl it would almost certainly have been overturned on appeal given Trump’s statements that could reasonably be viewed as interfering in a legal case over which he had great power. Trump seriously needs to restrain himself in these kinds of situations. I know what I’m writing won’t be popular here, but sometimes Trump just needs to be quiet about certain things.
Trump was not president when this guy committed his crime. That was in 2009. Trump was not president when he was a candidate. That is when he said he thought Bergdahl was a traitor. It could not be command influence because Trump was a civilian.
Exactly what power did PDJT have over this case? The only one with power appears to be the judge and he won’t have that much longer I hope.
I agree. Trump needs to learn when his tweets only damage himself and his positions.
You are totally wrong, no matter what the world says a judge should rule on the case and the evidence. Judge a righteous judgement.
Citizen Trumps words count but the praise of the President at the time don’t?
World is upside friggin down
I know what I’m writing won’t be popular here, but sometimes Trump just needs to be quiet about certain things.
You obviously have been asleep the last 10 months as Twinkle Toes Mattis has continued nearly all of the progressive PC policies of the DOD. POTUS has exactly ZERO to do with the progressive commissar take over of the military.
What about Obama and all the other nutjobs hero remarks?
What is it with people like you whose first thought is to blame someone who had nothing to do with this case? The judge is wrong. Period. Then candidate Trump was a private citizen entitled to express his opinion under First Amendment protections. The people to blame here are the traitorous deserter and a so-called judge whose political antipathy toward the current president takes precedence over genuine justice.
Your train of thought has no logic. The judge is a lefty and got his opportunity to make a statement, harm the military, and excuse cowardice. He took it.
“Trump’s statements that could reasonably be viewed as interfering in a legal case over which he had great power.”
The circumstance where that argument might prevail is if it is a jury trial. Then, the argument could be made that the entire pool of potential jurers had been tainted by the POTUS’ public statements, making it impossible to impanel an impartial jury.
Even then, it is very difficult to get a mistrial on that basis. Think of all the highly publicized trials that dominated cable news for months, with nearly every politician, scholar and celebrity constantly weighing in with an opinion - and yet they were never thrown out on that basis.
If it was not a jury trial, the argument makes no sense, since the judge can’t claim he was prejudiced by the President’s remarks.
As usual, this is just another example of the left finding fault with anything Trump does or says, and too many on the right going along with it because they are gullible.
You are absolutely correct, however Trump’s comments were during the campaign. But his current inclination to fire off on twitter is a great dis-service to our military. Because his “tweets” are from him as President now. Yes, he is a citizen, but his constant drilling down to the tiniest detail (which reminds me greatly of that non-delegator Jimmah Cahtah)MINIMIZES his actual awesome Executive powers. Power he is using quite well and just getting started. His post sentencing comments are appropriate— and he now can do something about this lib military judge. Pull his jacket, assign him to Attu Island, or Alaska forward bases. So they can deal with him there.
All of this result is from over 20 years from GHW, through billy boy to GWB and through obamaumao— erosion of unit discipline, enforcing- UCMJ in theatre, and most importantly tying the hands of our warriors in combat by ridiculous central controlled Rules of Engagement.
This clown “soldier” walked off Post exposing his fellow team to danger, without asking them. First. Second: he “was seeking out another base to report command complaints” (so he says) and was captured by Taliban. In actuality, he sought out the Taliban, is a freaking muzzie (thanks to his idiot parents) and is a complete liar. A willing prisoner of the Taliban, for use as a PR tool. The Book, without superior command interference could easily have been thrown at him— it has been thrown prior to others for much less. Period.
Teddy? No, Teddy said “talk softly”. Hoping Trump will keep to this guidance— and nail his enemies— don’t telegraph, and don’t emote. Please.
So now this a-hole gets his 5 years back pay of $300K plus no doubt a freaking book deal (which he should not, under civilian law, fruit of the poisoned tree because he was convicted). What should now happen is this guy should be hounded, daily into obscurity. His fellow warriors died looking for him— for HIM. Because he chose to leave them. The ultimate candidate for a Code Red. Imagine the families of those who died looking for this POS. Blessings to all those who gave their lives. And wishing this traitor- a life of Hell.